This Air Fryer Mexican Shrimp without breading is juicy, succulent, perfectly seasoned with simple pantry spices and ready in under 10 minutes. It is perfect to be made into tacos, bowls, salads, quesadillas, and more!
If you are looking for more easy air fryer shrimp recipes, then try my popular air fryer breaded shrimp next!
I was looking for an air fryer shrimp recipe that strikes the perfect balance—naturally sweet, well spiced, and irresistibly tender and juicy. This recipe delivers all that and more!
It’s quick, easy, healthy, and bursting with flavor. Whether you tuck it into tacos, roll it into burritos, toss it over salads, load it into bowls, or stuff it into quesadillas, it makes an effortless and delicious lunch or dinner.
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👩🍳 Why our recipe?
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 10 minutes
- No Breading Required: Light, simple, and fuss-free
- Versatile: Perfect for tacos, salads, bowls, wraps, and more
- No Marination Needed: Straight from fridge to air fryer
- Juicy & Succulent: Perfectly cooked every time
How to make Mexican shrimp in air fryer?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
Serving suggestions
- Appetizer: Serve with a side of cilantro sauce, avocado crema, creamy salsa dip, or classic ranch for easy, flavorful dipping.
- Sandwiches: Swap in this shrimp for the skillet version in our spicy shrimp sandwich—perfectly juicy and bold.
- Salads & Wraps: Toss into your favorite green salads or spoon into crisp lettuce wraps instead of the chickpeas in the chickpea lettuce wrap.
- Tacos: Load them into warm tortillas with your go-to taco fixings— Check out the air fryer shrimp tacos recipe.
- Burrito Bowls: Build a hearty bowl with cilantro lime rice, avocado, black beans, corn, fresh cilantro, and a scoop of pico de gallo or salsa.
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Recipe tips
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: I used a 6-quart Instant Vortex air fryer and cooked 1 pound of shrimp per batch. If you're cooking more, work in batches to ensure even cooking.
- Cook in a single layer: Arrange the shrimp in a single layer to avoid steaming—they'll cook faster and get that perfect texture.
- Remove Promptly: Keep an eye on the timer—overcooked shrimp turn rubbery fast.
- Pat dry first: Use paper towels to thoroughly dry the shrimp before seasoning. This helps the oil and spices stick and ensures better browning.
- Storing leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer for about 2 minutes until warmed through.
Frequently asked questions
I don’t recommend using frozen shrimp straight from the freezer, as the oil and seasonings won’t stick—they’ll just slide right off. For best results, thaw the shrimp first, then pat them dry thoroughly before air frying. To thaw quickly, place the prawns in a bowl of cold water under running water for 10 to 15 minutes.
While you can thaw shrimp in the air fryer, it’s not the most ideal method, as it can lead to uneven cooking. However, if you’re short on time and need a quick solution, here’s how to do it:
Preheat your air fryer to 200°F —a low enough temperature to thaw without cooking. Place the frozen shrimp in a single layer and air fry for 5–6 minutes, shaking the basket and spreading them out halfway through.
Once the ice has melted and the shrimp are fully thawed (but not cooked), pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels before proceeding with your recipe.
More shrimp dishes
Air Fryer Mexican Shrimp
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp with or without tails
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Toss with all ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine well.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F. When hot, place shrimp in a single layer and cook for 7 to 8 minutes or cooked through and tender.How long to cook? Large sized shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), cooks in 7 to 8 minutes whereas medium ones (31 to 40 per pound) will cook in 6 to 7 minutes.
- Serve with lime wedges or use it to make tacos, rice bowls, quesadillas or Mexican salads.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
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